1 in 20 children is born with a birth defect or genetic disease. It can happen to any child in any family.
By leaving a gift in your Will, you will be giving these children and their families hope for a healthier future.
Since 1958, our research has led to the introduction of new treatments and improved standards of care that have already saved thousands of children. You could help save many thousands more.
Who Your Gift Helps
Twins Charlize and Isaac were diagnosed with a severe metabolic disorder, propionic acidemia, after ending up in intensive care not long after birth. Both infants became so ill they required a liver transplant, but unfortunately Isaac did not survive.
Charlize has given her liver cells to Children's Medical Research Institute (CMRI) for gene therapy research. In the future, one injection could replace the need for a liver transplant - and save the lives of infants like Isaac.
Changing the future for children...
Struan Lamport
Struan Lamport was an amazing supporter of Children’s Medical Research who sadly passed away last year in October at the age of 82. Struan and her family have supported CMRI for over 43 years, and are still supporting us today.
Diane Openshaw
Even though Diane has no personal connection with family or friends with a genetic condition, she feels a sense of duty to help those in need.
Lindsey Freeman
My name is Lindsey Freeman – I know two children that were born with a genetic disease – one is my son, and the other was my nephew’s son. It has made me appreciate the profound impact these diseases can have, and the critical importance of ongoing medical research to achieve previously-unimaginable positive outcomes.
Jennifer Philps
"I want to leave a gift for the next generation: An end to deaths from cancer, a world without preventable birth defects, and cures for genetic diseases."
Joe Axiak
He was a cattle farmer from Dunedoo in country NSW. He loved children but had none of his own. Now, thousands will owe their lives to him.
Margaret Mackisack
“I’ve always thought that CMRI was a ‘Good Thing’ because it seems to me that the benefits of improving potential outcomes for babies and children can go a long way."
Dianne Hodge
“My husband was a highly committed doctor, who lived to make a lasting difference. I want to continue his legacy, by supporting visionary research. That’s why I’m leaving a gift in his name to CMRI.”
Foster Lee
"The thing that propels me is the research that is being done, not just for kids today, but for our future - that's the footprint. You are creating an opportunity to make change and create an impact on the lives of families."- Foster Lee, CMRI Gift in Will donor
Rick Stevens
Rick Stevens was a teacher at Sydney Grammar, St Ives, for 35 years, where he was Deputy Head and Head of Mathematics.
Alison Elms
Alison has left an incredible legacy after generously including a gift in her Will, hoping to make a difference for future generations of kids with genetic diseases.
Jakki Travers
My children used to laugh at me when I said that I was leaving a gift in my Will to charity. But now that they’re all adults and have charities that they support, they totally understand my reasons.
Nola Lynch
Nola was a devoted mum, and a highly respected member of the medical fraternity in the close-knit community of Port Macquarie on the Mid North Coast of NSW.
Louise O'Leary
Louise knows the importance of medical research firsthand and that’s why she has supported Children’s Medical Research Institute for over 28 years. She hopes her legacy will make a difference to not only the researchers at Children's Medical Research Institute but the 1 in 20 children who are born with a birth defect, cancer, or a genetic disease.
Ian Dunlop
"Our youngest Roland was involved in a terrible accident when he was 5 months old and suffered a brain injury. He underwent 13 surgeries over the following years. He unfortunately passed away in 2002 at the age of 34 and after his passing, we decided to set up the Roly Dunlop Legacy memorial fund and donate each year to CMRI in his name."
Reeva Nadkar
Reeva Nadkar is a PhD student researching Stargardt disease in our Eye Genetics lab. This is possible because of Beryl, an incredible supporter who left a gift in her Will to fund students starting their career in research.
Beryl’s legacy will continue to support future generations of researchers and sick kids who benefit from the research.
Types of Gifts in Wills
If you are thinking of leaving a gift in your Will, there are many ways you can leave a gift that could be the right fit for you. It’s also important to speak with your family and loved ones about your intentions and to let them know that leaving a gift to medical research that saves children's lives is important to you.
A few examples that may suit your preferences and individual circumstances include leaving:
- A specific sum of cash or a percentage of the value of your estate
- A gift of real estate
- An investment such as stocks, bonds, shares or an artwork
- A residual gift (the balance of your estate after all other provisions have been met)
- Or any combinations of these
How To Leave a Gift in Your Will
A will must be carefully planned, drawn up, and executed to ensure your wishes will be effectively carried out.
One of the simplest, most affordable methods of creating a legally binding Will is to access the Gathered Here online platform. Gathered Here enables you to write your bespoke, legally binding Will for free. With this option, after you’ve taken care of your loved ones, you will also have an opportunity to include a gift to Children’s Medical Research Institute. Create your free Will with Gathered Here.
You can also contact a solicitor, the Public Trustee, or the Law Society in your state or territory for advice about preparing a Will.
NSW Trustee & Guardian will make your Will and estate planning documents at no charge if you are eligible for a full Centrelink Age Pension, and offer a range of other benefits. T. 1300 10 20 30.
By leaving a gift in your Will to Children’s Medical Research Institute, you will be making a unique commitment to ensure our teams can continue to do vital research to save lives now. You will also be helping to provide treatments and cures for future generations, leaving a lasting legacy.
Essential wording to make a bequest in your Will
Percentage
“I give to Children’s Medical Research Institute ABN 47 002 684 737 (CMRI) _______% of my Estate free of all duties for the general purposes of CMRI, and the receipt of the Secretary or Treasurer (or other proper officer for the time being) of CMRI shall be sufficient discharge for the executor and the executor is not bound to see to its application.”
Residual
“I give to Children’s Medical Research Institute ABN 47 002 684 737 (CMRI) the residue of my Estate free of all duties for the general purposes of CMRI, and the receipt of the Secretary or Treasurer (or other proper officer for the time being) of CMRI shall be sufficient discharge for the executor and the executor is not bound to see to its application.”
Specific Sum
“I give to Children’s Medical Research Institute ABN 47 002 684 737 (CMRI) the sum of $_______ free of all duties for the general purposes of CMRI, and the receipt of the Secretary or Treasurer (or other proper officer for the time being) of CMRI shall be sufficient discharge for the executor and the executor is not bound to see to its application.”
Important Notes
Once you have a Will, it is important to keep it up to date to reflect your current family situation and intentions.
If you already have a will and would like to support CMRI without rewriting the entire document, a codicil can be drawn up.
Unless otherwise specified by you, donations in your Will are invested in Children’s Medical Research Institute’s endowment fund, which supports our research in perpetuity. It is a gift that shall forevermore touch the lives of future generations of Australian children.
Let Us Know
When you include a gift in your will to CMRI and let us know about it, you’ll be invited to join our Director’s Circle. You and your loved ones will receive invitations to special events and enjoy a closer involvement with CMRI.
Have you left a gift to Children’s Medical Research Institute in your Will?
If you choose to leave a gift in will to CMRI, we’d be very appreciative if you could let us know as we’d like to have the opportunity to thank you personally.
You can do this by:
- sending us a letter of confirmation from your Solicitor
- by getting in touch with us by email, phone, or letter
- or, you can simply complete this form:
How Your Gift Can Make a Difference
Gift in Wills provide Children’s Medical Research Institute with approximately 27% of our philanthropic income.
Donations in your Will are invested in an endowment fund, ensuring financial security to the long-term benefit of the community by supporting our research in perpetuity.
A gift in your Will to CMRI is a gift that will forever positively impact the lives of future generations of Australian children.
Get in Touch
If you have any questions, would like further information, or would like to inform CMRI of your decision, please contact:
Jakki Travers
Associate Director, Planned Giving
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 02 8865 2983
All enquiries and conversations are confidential.
Arrange a Private Tour of CMRI
If you would like to find out more about our work before making any decisions, I would love to arrange a time for you to visit CMRI’s Research Facility and meet our team. By attending, you'll have the opportunity to hear directly from our researchers about their work and see our laboratories in action.